THE three day search for missing backpackers, Hugo Palmer and Erwan Ferrieux who were last seen at Port Macquarie's Shelly Beach on Sunday, has been scaled back.
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An extensive air and sea search along the coastline has found no further evidence of the pair who have not been seen since February 17.
It's understood land based searches are also being scaled back with ground crews and SES volunteers not involved in further searches.
The search for the backpackers was launched after property belonging to Mr Palmer, 20 from England and Mr Ferrieux, 21 from France, was found at the beach at about 6.30am on Monday.
Read more: Search underway for two missing men
A silver Commodore station wagon rented to the men was found in the Shelly Beach car park. It's understood keys, wallets, glasses were found on the beach, while personal items such as passports were found in the car.
Since then, a major water and ground search has been underway involving police from Mid North Coast Police District, Marine Rescue, SES, NSW Police Force Marine Area Command, police divers, and PolAir; however, there has been no sign of the missing men.
Land crews have searched south of the beach to Tacking Point and north to Flynns Beach, while trail bikes had been searching further south. Police divers entered the water on Wednesday morning.
Based on advice from experts, police have scaled back the air and sea search, but sweeps of the coastline and foreshore will continue over the coming days.
Read more: Missing men "could well be alive"
The families of Mr Palmer and Mr Ferrieux have been notified, while two friends from Sydney have come forward and are cooperating with police, according to Mid North Coast Police Inspector Peter Neville.
"They were due to meet with them in Port Macquarie - they have travelled here today (Wednesday) to support not only operations, but their friends," Insp Neville said.
"The families of both young men have been informed of what has happened in Australia and we have been able to keep them appraised of the situation."
Police are still appealing to anyone who might have seen the men, or their car, near the Shelly Beach car park or in the surrounding streets to contact them.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said all avenues of the missing men were being investigated, and the primary search area was based around where their property was originally located.
Hugo Palmer is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with fair hair 180cm tall and with an athletic build.
Erwan Ferrieux has dark hair, brown eyes, a tanned complexion and is between 175cm-180cm tall.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Port Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.